Comments on: Loughner: Defense and Prosecution Benefit from Guilty Plea in Exchange for No Death Penalty

By: aussie

aussie — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:02:33 +0000

Perhaps they lack the imagination to come up with their own criminal persona.

Many many decades ago I worked on a newspaper. Every now and then the weekend edition would do a piece about the “scourge of vandalism”, illustrated with photos of destroyed public phones. The phone operator used to complain bitterly that after every such article, vandalism of public phones went up by 500% for several weeks.

By: Frederick Leatherman

Frederick Leatherman — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:25:54 +0000

I have a new post up: Schizophrenia and Predicting Future Dangerousness

By: Nef05

Nef05 — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:58:43 +0000

Thanks for the response. The guy in Ohio’s attorney has chosen an interesting strategy. But, in my opinion, not very well thought out, since I believe most persons would immediately ask, “if the man was so scared, why did he go?”

Here’s a brief portion of his attorney’s statement:
“Bruce said his client “felt a sense of fear” about going to a theater, and chose the Batman movie by complete coincidence.

“Any weapons he may have had on him were solely for protection,” he said.”

By: Frederick Leatherman

Frederick Leatherman — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:17:50 +0000

You said,

My question is: Have you, or someone you know, defended a person who was a “copycat”? And, if so, is there any insight you can share with us, as to motivation, defense strategy, etc? Although I realise one would defend such a person from a legal charge, and not the “copycat” label, it would seem that label (and the evidence generating it) would make the task more difficult. But, what seems to motivate them? Is it a desire for the perceived “fame”?

I have not defended a person who was accused of committing a copycat crime and I have not studied that phenomenon. I know so little about it that I’m going to plead ignorance and decline to answer your question.

You’ve asked a good question.

By: Nef05

Nef05 — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:40:22 +0000

Prof,
Fortunately, my question is not specific to Loughner, but highly publicized crimes, in general. I noticed that there have been two potential copycat “Batman” arrests. Well, to be specific, the guy in Maine claimed he had seen the movie, with a loaded weapon, the night before he was arrested going over 100mph, hazard lights flashing, with several articles on CO shooting and with a small arsenal (including AK-47) in his vehicle, on his way to murder his former boss. The guy in OH was in the theatre, with his weapons. There is a third guy, who was arrested in costume, at Home Depot and claimed he was there to help and protect people and he did so (costumed) regularly. He was unarmed.

My question is: Have you, or someone you know, defended a person who was a “copycat”? And, if so, is there any insight you can share with us, as to motivation, defense strategy, etc? Although I realise one would defend such a person from a legal charge, and not the “copycat” label, it would seem that label (and the evidence generating it) would make the task more difficult. But, what seems to motivate them? Is it a desire for the perceived “fame”?

By: Two sides to a story

Two sides to a story — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:44:17 +0000

I have visited a person in the Phoenix state hospital, which also includes a ward for the criminally insane, which I was accidentally sent to at the time. It’s not the worst place in the world, but it’s not the best, either, and it’s depressing to think about anyone spending a lifetime there . . .

By: Frederick Leatherman

Frederick Leatherman — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:18:38 +0000

After the judge found him competent today, Jared Loughner pled guilty to 19 counts in exchange for the prosecution's agreement not to seek the death penalty. He will be sentenced in November to life without parole.

By: Digger

Digger — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:20:26 +0000

Zhickel, NEVER would I ever consider anyone’s life WORTHLESS life, NEVER! I am stating this clearly, This is stated clearly so no way can it be misrepresented. Sometimes when commenting I try to shorten the thought and perhaps don’t go into detail to satisfy every opposing thought of another. If I am pinned under a 3 ton bolder and no way out to continue a useful life, I certainly would want to have someone decide that I would not be left there to suffer endlessly. If I am pinned under a 3 ton bolder and have use of my body and mental, not suffering unbearably endlessly, surely there would be purpose to my life.

Natural death is helped on by what is called “comfort measures” every day, and I hope I am fortunate to receive that comfort when my time comes. End

By: dennis

dennis — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:59:28 +0000

I was just reading the murder article on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_(United_States_law)#Murder_Sentencing_Guidelines_in_the_United_States

It is very interesting how different the laws are written from state to state regarding homicide. For instance, I live and Michigan and it says “In Michigan the top penalty perpetrator can receive is life imprisonment, the punishment cannot be cruel and unusual”.

By: ajamazin

ajamazin — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:26:25 +0000

Zhickel,

That phrase has troubled me, also.

Thank you for addressing it.